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Sidney Maury Orton (1808-1858) married Louisa M. Timberlake (1820-1901) from Lexington, Tennessee. They came to Nacogdoches in 1839, and S. M. Orton became Chief Justice of Nacogdoches County in 1848. Originally a blacksmith by trade, he was also a farmer and owned mercantile establishments in Nacogdoches and in San Augustine. Orton was an active Mason, and was instrumental in the establishment of Nacogdoches University.
The Ortons had four children: Mary Louise Adeline, Richard David (who became sheriff of Nacogdoches County), Harriet Winfrey, and John Greer. (Davis, Bryan H., Jr., "Orton Family" Nacogdoches County Families, v. 1, Curtis Media Corp., 1985)

Scope and Content Note

The letters and business papers included in the Orton Family Papers concern mostly the Sidney Maury Orton family. In addition, many letters concern the Mt. Enterprise Male and Female Academy, where Sidney and Louisa's children attended school.

Fort Bliss Texas
Dec 18th /61
Mrs. L. M. Orton,
Dear mother
I have just received yours of the (18th ult) and now hasteon (sic) to answer it. this leaves us all in good health.
Mother I dont know what to think of your letters you always write so discouragingly Mother you look at every thing wrong you make the worst of every thing and consequently you always have the blues. You appear to think that I am in great danger of the Indians, that is all a hoax, there is not enough Indians up here to whip a company much less a Regiment so you nead (sic) not bother about my scalp for I will assure you that I will take care of it.
And another thing that disturbes (sic) your rest is the lenght (sic) of time for whitch (sic) I have enrowled (sic). As to that I think after I have served a resonable (sic) time I can get a discharge.
And as to health. This country cant be beat for health. It is very true that the Mexicans always have a case of small Pocks (sic) among them selves. A grate (sic) many of the Boys have rittian (sic) horible (sic) tales about the small Pocks (sic) I have no doubt - for some of them are scared half to death
If a person has ever been vaxinated (sic) it will not scar them if they take it and if a man is a little sickly and taken it, it will make a sound man of him as to my part I had as soon have it as not. there was our man in hartimens [Hardeman's] Copany (sic) who was nearly dead with the consumpsion (sic) and take on the small Pocks (sic) and is now as sound as a dollar
Another thing that bothers you is some thing to eat now if you was up here you mite (sic) talk about living I have just as much Pork beef, flour sugar coffe (sic) and beans as I want and occationly (sic) molasses rice and onions. And if I have a little money I can go over to Elpaso (sic) and find as much fruits as I want such as Oranges, apples, pears and peaches so you may gess (sic) I Live
And I have a plenty of corn for my Horse and a good stable to ceap (sic) him in and he is as good a horse as Mr anybody's horse so I am as happy as a coon in roastting (sic) year time.
It is very true that we suffered a little while we were coming accross (sic) the plains we had to leave our provisions behind us and go ahead in order to get water for our horses those who staid (sid) with the wageons (sic) faired very sumptiously (sic)
It looks dearnd (sic) strang (sic) that some of the boys will write such tails it is very true that some of the Company has been out of salt at times, but - it - was there one falt (sic) my mess has always had a plenty of salt and nearly every thing else.
And another great bugerboo is we are all necked I expect that a great many have more clothing than they ever had before and if they all have not a plenty of clothing it is there one falt for we have had a serpulous (sic) of clothing along all the time.
So you nead (sic) not believe half you here they are a great many along who glory in telling big tails and they dont car (sic) a bit whether they are true or not As to getting a fight - I think is doubtfull (sic) I saw Frank Lee yesterday of those boys are well and a doing fine. As I wanto (sic) write some to Wfry (sic) I recon (sic) I had better close for I have all ready rittion (sic) all the news, so I will close hoping you will write soon and quit a having them blues for they wont pay no time and particuely (sic) now. From what we can learn we will draw some of our money before long and when I do I will send you all that I can spar (sic).
Yours very respectfully
R. D. Orton

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This item may be protected under Title 17 of the U.S. Copyright Law. It is available for non-commercial research and education. For permission to publish or reproduce, please contact the East Texas Research Center at asketrc@sfasu.edu.